Oral pathology: mucoepidermoid carcinoma: practice question

A Dentistry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dentistry · Oral pathology: mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Sample item

A 35-year-old has a slowly growing firm swelling of the parotid. Histology shows mucous, epidermoid and intermediate cells. Which tumour is this?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the commonest malignant salivary gland tumour, with a typical mixture of mucous, epidermoid and intermediate cells. The parotid is the commonest site.

Option by option

  • A. Warthin tumour

    Warthin tumour is benign and shows oncocytic epithelium with lymphoid stroma.

  • B. Acinic cell carcinoma

    Acinic cell carcinoma shows serous acinar differentiation.

  • C. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. The three-cell pattern defines mucoepidermoid carcinoma.

  • D. Adenoid cystic carcinoma

    Adenoid cystic carcinoma shows cribriform basaloid cells.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dentistry question

What is the answer to this Dentistry question?

The best answer is C, Mucoepidermoid carcinoma. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the commonest malignant salivary gland tumour, with a typical mixture of mucous, epidermoid and intermediate cells.

Why is "Warthin tumour" not the answer?

Warthin tumour is benign and shows oncocytic epithelium with lymphoid stroma.

Why is "Acinic cell carcinoma" not the answer?

Acinic cell carcinoma shows serous acinar differentiation.

Why is "Adenoid cystic carcinoma" not the answer?

Adenoid cystic carcinoma shows cribriform basaloid cells.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Oral pathology: mucoepidermoid carcinoma in Dentistry. The parotid is the commonest site.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Oral pathology: mucoepidermoid carcinoma?

Learn the dental formula, eruption ages and tooth structure once, as tables. Then use the flashcards and the other Dentistry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.